Many different means of evaluating a bike make purchasing a new one difficult. Even for pro bicyclists, deciding on their next bicycle can be a challenge. The fact of the matter is that getting a bike involves many different choices. If you know how and when you want to ride, where you are going to ride, how comfortable and safe you must be, and what you’d like to look like as you ride, you’ll have an easier time choosing your bike. Trying to keep yourself informed of all the new choices, as well those just about to be released, can make it really hard to finally choose the bike for you. Here are some of the criteria you should use when you are buying your next cycling bicycle.
One thing that is usually the first on the list is the cost of the bike. This doesn't mean other things aren't important, like where you are going to ride or how often you will, but it does mean that the cost of the bicycle should be one of your main concerns.
If you are new to the bike buying business, you will see that the price can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. That doesn't mean all bicycles are going to cost that much, so don't worry; there is no reason why you can't find a great bicycle that is in your price range. Auctions are one of the best places to find a great bike that will be fairly inexpensive and still have everything you need.
Take 9" away from the total of your inseam if you plan to get a road bike. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. City riding is done with thin tires, designed to work perfectly with the smooth concrete roads and sidewalks you find in a city. For a mountain bike take away 12 inches from your inseam. Again this is to account for the size of tires. Mountain bike tires will be thick and designed for mountainous terrain. You can use mountain bikes for city cycling, but the opposite is not true and they are nowhere near as good on city streets as road bikes.
You also want to make sure you leave some room between you and the crossbar of your bike. When choosing a bike move the seat so it is a couple of inches above the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Each type of bike will require differing clearance amounts. If you are buying a touring bike, for example, you only need an inch or so of clearance. However for a mountain bike you will need 3" between the crossbar and yourself.
The idea behind buying cycling bicycles is to make sure that you and the bicycle fit well together—physically. If you intend to use your bike a read the article lot, perhaps as your main method of transport, it is important you keep this in mind. Comfort and safety are both very important.